Movies. Roundup.

A Pivotal `Moment' Becomes A Magical Film

February 18, 2000|By John Petrakis.

`A Moment of Innocence," made in 1996 but not allowed to be released until 1998, is probably the final movie that director Mohsen Makhmalbaf ("Gabbeh") will ever shoot in his native Iran. If so, it would be an appropriate wave goodbye for this once militant Muslim supporter, who has had his fill of government censorship.

"A Moment of Innocence" looks back with sadness and regret at a true incident from 1974, when Makhmalbaf -- then a 17-year-old active opponent of the Shah -- teamed up with his equally idealistic female cousin to try and steal a gun from a local policeman. The robbery attempt failed, the policeman was stabbed, and Makhmalbaf was sentenced to prison where he was tortured for his actions and beliefs.

He was released once the Islamic revolution took over, and eventually became a prominent filmmaker. But when, years later, the same policeman from the robbery attempt showed up looking for work as an actor in one of Makhmalbaf's movies, Makhmalbaf used him instead to make this small film about that "innocent moment" that so changed both their lives.

He hires young, untrained actors to assume the roles of the three principals, and through discussions and arguments we begin to get a sense of what Makhmalbaf -- who plays himself -- was thinking and feeling at the time. There is also humor, especially in the scenes where the gruff former policeman tries to direct the young man portraying him.

But the great poignancy of the film starts to reveal itself once the cousin enters the picture and we see how the policeman may have misinterpreted her many visits to him during the weeks leading up to the encounter. Was it a silent declaration of love, as he still claims? Or a coy female softening him up for the kill?

It is rare when a single image can sum up the emotional core of an entire movie, but the final freeze-frame of "A Moment of Innocence" is so moving in its completeness, it reminds us with jarring simplicity that we are in the hands of a genuine artist. "A Moment of Innocence" opens Friday at The Music Box Theatre. (star) (star) (star) 1/2 Running time: 1:18. No MPAA rating. In Farsi with English subtitles.